Team to host over 2,200 Canadian Forces members and their families on Nov.5

OTTAWA – Eugene Melnyk, owner of the Ottawa Senators and Scotiabank Place, announced today that for the sixth consecutive season since taking ownership of the club, the Senators will dedicate a game to recognize the Canadian Forces on Thursday, Nov. 5, when the Tampa Bay Lightning visit Scotiabank Place.

The Senators will host the sixth annual Canadian Forces Appreciation Night for more than 2,200 Canadian Forces members and their families. Canadian Forces Appreciation Night supporters provided more than 1,300 tickets by and another 900 were received from the Ottawa Senators Tickets for Troops campaign, a program through which Senators season-ticket holders and employees donate their game seats to members of the Canadian Forces.

"Each year the Ottawa Senators and our fans are proud to pay tribute to the dedicated men and women of our Canadian Forces," said Melnyk. “Their courage and commitment to serve our country is a daily reminder to all Canadians how much we value global peace and democracy.”

“Speaking for all members of the Canadian Forces and their families, I want to express my most sincere gratitude for the generosity and compassion of the Ottawa Senators,” said Gen. Walter Natynczyk, chief of defence staff (CDS). “Such community engagement is a testament to the importance that this organization places on the men and women in uniform.“

In January 2008 the Sens Foundation, in partnership with gold-level supporters of Canadian Forces Appreciation Night and the Military Families Fund, established an endowment fund that will provide scholarships to Canadian Forces members and military family members so they can attend one of the three Algonquin College campuses in Ontario. In partnership with CF Appreciation Night gold-level supporters and the province of Ontario, more than $450,000 has been raised to support further education.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: At 6:40 p.m. on Nov. 5 in the coliseum rooms (located at lower level Gate 2 inside Scotiabank Place), Danielle Robinson, president of the Sens Foundation, will present Bob Gillet, president of Algonquin College and Gen. Natynczyk a cheque in the amount of $65,000 for the Military Families Fund – Sens Foundation Endowment.
PRE-GAME ACTIVITIES: The game opens with the Canadian and American national anthems sung by Claire Rouleau, daughter of the Vice-Admiral Denis Rouleau, vice chief of defence staff; accompanied by 20 members of the Canadian Forces Central Band. Melnyk will be joined for the ceremonial face-off by Gen. Natynczyk and three Canadian Forces members.
IN-GAME ACTIVITIES: The Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency will operate a kiosk on the arena’s 200 level, selling Support our Troops merchandise.

In the first intermission, four Canadian Forces families will participate in a face-off competition. During the second intermission, nine Canadian Forces hockey players from the army, navy and air force will compete in the Hockey Country showdown skills competition. During the second period of the game, one student from the Military Families Fund endowment and one representing Project Hero will be introduced. The Project Hero initiative at Algonquin College supports dependent children of Canadian Forces personnel killed while serving in active military mission by providing them with free tuition.

IN OUR COMMUNITY: Until Nov. 30, Scotiabank, a gold-level supporter of the sixth annual Canadian Forces Appreciation Night, is running a campaign in its eastern Ontario branches to collect donations for the Military Families Fund – Sens Foundation endowment. Scotiabank will match all donations.. To donate, fans can stop by any Scotiabank branch or visit www.sensfoundation.com
RED GEAR, RIBBONS AND T-SHIRTS: All fans at this Thursday’s game are encouraged to wear red in support of the troops, while all Senators players will be sporting a Support our Troops ribbon on their helmets. The Sens Store at Scotiabank Place will be selling specially produced camouflage T-shirts for $20, with $10 donated to the Military Families Fund. Proceeds from the sale of Ottawa Senators Proud to be Canadian pucks for $5.99 will also be directed to to the fund.

CANADIAN FORCES: Canadian Forces members are proud to serve Canada by defending its values, interests and sovereignty at home and abroad. The Ticket for Troops program honours Canadian Forces members for their dedication to our country. More than 3,000 Canadian soldiers, sailors and air force personnel are deployed overseas on operational missions. On any given day, about 8,000 Canadian Forces members one third of its deployable force are preparing for, engaged in or are returning from an overseas mission.